Beauty

Naturally Clean

July 20, 2011

I cleaned out my fridge. Don’t ask details or you might lose all respect for me. Husby’s so called “Stop! No! Don’t throw it away! I’ll eat it later!” leftovers about made me ask Bubba for CPR. Ew. Amidst the horror, I spotted some unused mint, a few lonely strawberries, and half a lemon. I also just so happened to have pure glycerin soap (I’ve been meaning to make some soap for months now, friends… can you say procrastination-station?) Here was my first go at soap! My middle name is now Chemist (ok not really bc that’s NOT a cute name and I’m not smartypants. However, I DID feel super legit with my white apron & swimming goggles). People can checkย office cleaners if they need the best office cleaning services.

Shower? Ready or not, here I come…
Lil’ Strawberry Sassafras? Yep! You’re comin’ too. Don’t ask questions.

Cube pure glycerin soap and microwave in 20 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until soap is completely melted. Do not boil.
Puree fruit of choice, herbs, or zest from the flesh of citrus. Divide soap equally among three empty containers (not shown). Add 1 teaspoon of each ingredient at a time until desired amount & color are achieved (color darkens as it sets). For berries, add only 1 teaspoon if you want the soap to remain clear.

Spray the inside of empty jello boxes, muffin tins, or any small glass/plastic container with vegetable spray. Pour mixed sop into containers. Spray rubbing alcohol on the top of each soap to remove air bubbles.

Allow soaps to harden for 2 hours. You may need to place the molds (soap still intact) in the freezer to help pry the soap loose. The silicone muffin pan popped right out without any problems! Use soap within 3 months.

  • Kerri July 20, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    I LOVE it! I used to make all kind of different decorative and natural soaps, but haven’t for some time now. This inspires me to try it again though ๐Ÿ™‚ Other great things to put in soap that are actually great for the skin is oatmeal and cinnamon. Plus it smells extra nice too! ๐Ÿ™‚ I’ve made everything from glitter soaps to scrubby soaps, and they’re always just too fun. Good job Missy!

    • missy July 20, 2011 at 5:23 pm

      The possibilities of ingredients literally gave me a headache. Mixing up these got me thinking about fall/winter options. Apple pie was definitely one I was playing with!

    • Breanna December 16, 2015 at 3:21 am

      Can you add oatmeal to the clear glycerin

      • missy December 17, 2015 at 5:52 am

        I don’t see why not! Sounds like a perfect exfoliant!

  • Amy July 20, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    This looks awesome! You are so creative!

    • missy July 20, 2011 at 5:21 pm

      Thanks Amy! It’s super fun to experiment with. Have at it, girl!

  • Heather July 20, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    Love it, Missy!! Great inexpensive gift idea too!

    • missy July 20, 2011 at 5:20 pm

      YOu’re right on! The soap was only $1.00 a bar which ended up making several smaller ones. I spent $5 and ended up with so much soap I’m now giving it to neighbors! haha!

  • val sorokina July 20, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    hi, ive been reading your blog for about a month now and you totally inspire me to make more things on my own! very creative ๐Ÿ™‚

    • missy July 21, 2011 at 5:19 pm

      Such a sweet comment! That’s the whole goal behind this blog thing… inspire. Thank you for sharing that I’m helping do that! xo

  • Lexie Scoffield July 20, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    This is way off subject of this post but what face make-up do you use? It always looks so good in pictures and I feel like my foundation and powder looks horrible in pictures. Please let me know! Thanks! Love the blog.

    • missy July 21, 2011 at 5:21 pm

      You’re cute. I’m sure it doesn’t look “horrible” things always look worse from our own perspective. You can send questions anytime – hit me up on my contact form!

      I use bareMinerals for foundation, blush, and mineral veil (keeps all makeup in place) and have been for almost 10 years now. That should tell you how much I love it.

      Thanks for your support/following, Lexie! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Amanda July 20, 2011 at 9:19 pm

    Love this! So impressed! And so green ๐Ÿ™‚

    • missy July 21, 2011 at 5:21 pm

      So green and so clean clean… xo

  • Maggie July 20, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    Do you find the glycerin soap bars at craft stores or did you go somewhere special?

    • missy July 21, 2011 at 5:22 pm

      Probably should’ve linked, eh? Haha! I got it at a natural grocery store. But I think it’s also available in craft stores as well. Good Q, m’lady!

  • Lyndsey Perez December 23, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    I emailed you about soap before! I made a mint one which turned out cute. Then I did a coffee one and it pretty much turned all black/brown. I also tried to make a raspberry lemon one and it ended up turning somewhat black and the bottom of the soap for some reason didn’t seal. So the parts where the raspberry is are open and you can touch the raspberry. Not sure what happened and was wondering if you did?

    • missy December 26, 2011 at 3:19 pm

      I’m guessing you added too much coffee and raspberries. When there is more add ins to glycerin ratio it can’t set up. It’s kinda like the concept of adding too much sugar to lemonade… The water can’t hold all the sugar so thus it doesn’t dissolve. Don’t give up, just make it again with lesser quantities of mix ins.

    • Terri February 4, 2012 at 6:49 pm

      I have been making glycerin and Cold Process soap for awhile now. What I would suggest is that you pour and small amount of glycerin soap in the bottom of the mold. Let that set up then spritz it with alcohol and then pour the remainder of your soap into the mold. This will prevent the problem of the raspberries or other additives poking out through the bottom. Also try to pour your main soap base just before it is ready to set up. This will keep most of the additives suspended in the soap and not on the bottom of the bar.

  • claryssa correa May 9, 2012 at 1:52 am

    Does herb soap (mint) stays clear? I have tried doing soap with flowers like lavender and rose and I see changes in color around the flowers…

  • Kassadie July 1, 2012 at 3:09 am

    Thanks for the great ideas! I’m planning a birthday party and I’m have different stations (e.i: make your own soap, make your own perfume, etc.) and this is by far the best website I’ve found!! Love this!

  • ROBYN KING July 15, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    HI Missy,
    I love how informative and easy to understand your blog is:) You have really done a first rate job here and I love your ideas very creative.
    Best Wishes,
    Robyn King

  • Julie July 17, 2012 at 8:10 pm

    Do the berries(like strawberries, my favorite) ever get moldy if you don’t use it right away?

    • missy July 18, 2012 at 1:05 am

      Using any food ingredient, yes it has a shelf life. I’m not exactly sure how long it will keepโ€ฆ we seemed to use it up before spoiling.

  • Rachel August 4, 2012 at 8:46 pm

    WOW! Who knew this could be so easy! I love love love your blog. I have spent hours going from post to post. Where do you get the soap base from to start these? Thank you for sharing so many wonderful things!
    Rachel

  • Denise August 24, 2012 at 6:52 am

    Oh my goodness, these look adorable. Have you tried any other combinations yet?? I can’t wait to try a fall one. Endless opportunities. Thank you for reminding me that I wanted to try to make soap!!

  • nupur September 16, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    it’s a really soapy way to cleanliness ๐Ÿ™‚
    i really loved the idea. now i don’t have a headache thinking what to do with the leftover fruit no one is going to eat.
    thanks to you!

  • Wendy September 16, 2012 at 8:34 pm

    I like to use the latex muffin molds. The soap comes out easy and you don’t have to spray with oil. Easy clean up as well. You can get cute seasonal ones at Target in the $1 bins too, or after holiday clearance which is my favorite!

  • LW September 16, 2012 at 8:52 pm

    Where can you order pure glycerin soap?

  • Morgan September 16, 2012 at 9:25 pm

    I just got directed to your blog by someone posting your soap recipe on there and I must say, I will be reading more of your blog! I also bookmarked it for quick access. I love your soap idea and will be trying it for the holidays and they are a great idea for stocking stuffers, etc….thank you so much for being an inspiration to so many people! Especially this stay at home mom of a 7 month old ๐Ÿ™‚

  • gloria monroe September 18, 2012 at 8:19 pm

    when you said to use within three weeks I wondered if that was for all or just the ones with fruit and if it is for all can you freeze or refridgerate for later use??

  • sue September 30, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    i also want to know where is the best place to purchace glycerin soap at the best price.

  • Jacqueline I. November 8, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    I always end up doing something not quite right, when trying anything crafty but this seems so straightforward that I’m going to try it. Thank you so much for the inspiration Missy!

  • Marcie November 21, 2012 at 7:59 pm

    I stumbled on your blog today from Pinterest and I’ve been enjoying it for hours!! I love everything about your blog and the style you do it with. ๐Ÿ™‚ I had no idea that making soap was so easy. I’m dying to try it now!!

  • Asia November 25, 2012 at 12:37 am

    I love this idea for holiday gifts! I like the idea for the oatmeal and cinnamon soap. I was wondering if anyone had anymore fun ideas for fall/winter additives?

  • Belem December 9, 2012 at 7:10 pm

    Woow! It looks amazing.

  • VinPro Elegance December 10, 2012 at 4:23 pm

    Superb idea!!So pure and natural.

  • Claire December 30, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    it’s a very refreshing soap recipe post! it seems fresher than other recipes i’ve found and i love the fresh mint idea!

  • Meghan January 31, 2013 at 10:41 pm

    I like the idea of using jello boxes as molds. It is a really good tip. Also, your soaps look amazing.

  • zen February 10, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    thanks for posting very inspiring i want to make my own soaps ๐Ÿ™‚ thanks

  • shyne February 24, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    wow!!! amazing!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Annie March 3, 2013 at 11:10 am

    woww! that seems like a really good idea..i m going to try it for sure..:D

  • Connie June 6, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    I was wondering using berries, fruit, does it make your skin sticky?

  • Pam McCabe January 26, 2014 at 5:28 pm

    Thanks for posting this tutorial. I especially love the empty Jello box as a soap mold. I appreciate you sharing your tips! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Liz February 14, 2014 at 10:48 pm

    This seems so cool! Where did you buy the plain soap though?

    By, the way, your blog is great!

  • Christina Sanchez February 18, 2014 at 8:24 pm

    Making my first batch today….Hemp melt and pour with lemongrass and orange rind…..can’t wait to try it! Really want to make from scratch but the lye scares me….This was SO easy!

  • Janee December 13, 2014 at 2:27 am

    HI there!

    I made the strawberry soap and although it smells delicious, all the strawberries gathered at the top so it’s not distribute throughout the whole bar? Have you had this issue? How can I avoid this in the future?

    Thank You!

  • Adriana Pineda December 19, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    Can you use coconut butter instep of the soap, if not can you give another substitute? (ex. another soap)

  • Brielle February 21, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    Hi! I was wondering where you bought the glycerin soap from?

  • laura March 11, 2015 at 1:26 am

    Can I use olive oil for veg spray?

  • sheila April 25, 2015 at 3:31 am

    I would love to try to make this wonderfuul soap! My concern is how moisturizing is it, and how long will it last with the berries , herbs and such?

  • Caroline July 6, 2016 at 6:34 pm

    Does it take on the scent of what you put in it?

  • Pragati August 13, 2016 at 7:06 am

    Hi Missy,
    Could you please tell me for how long can i store these soaps?
    What is the shelf life of all these soaps since there were no preservatives used?

    Regards,
    Pragati.